Arwin led Raen, Monica, and Reya from the smithy and over to the Devil’s Den. Monica pinched herself at least four times over the short walk, still seemingly unable to believe that she actually looked and felt like a human.
Lillia stepped out of the kitchen as they emerged, an eyebrow arching as she made her way over to greet them.
“How did it go?” she asked.
“Perfectly,” Arwin replied. He nodded to Monica. “This is Raen’s wife, Monica.”
The orc seemed slightly preoccupied. Her gaze traveled over the tavern, lips parting in disbelief as she drank the atmosphere in. Arwin didn’t blame her. There was something about the darkness of the tavern, lit only by the gentle glow of the orange lanterns scattered throughout it, that was undeniably appealing.
“This place has it right,” Monica breathed. “It looks incredible. It feels just like—”
She cut herself off before she could finish the sentence. Raen sent her a sharp look, but it was too late. Lillia had caught onto the tone in the other woman’s voice. There had been more than just mere awe in her words. There had been recognition.
“I spent a lot of time studying the horde’s caves and hideouts,” Lillia said. Her eyes flicked down to Monica’s wrist, spotting the bracelet on her hand, and her lips curled up in slight amusement. “I am very dedicated to making sure everything is as realistic as possible to ensure the experience is enjoyable for all of my patrons.”
“Are any of the adventurers staying over still in their rooms?” Arwin asked.
“Those are some very realistic inserts,” Monica said. She glanced at Arwin, realization passing over her features as a grunting laugh passed from between her lips. “So that’s what you meant. You all dress up as monsters. That’s the theme of the tavern, right?”
Raen nudged his wife with an elbow. “Monica?”
“Those aren’t inserts,” Raen said, his voice trembling slightly in shock. “They’re real.”
Monica did a double take. Madiv obliged her, flashing a grin once more.
“What is this?” the orc asked, looking from one person in the room to the other as growing confusion gripped at her. “What are you saying?”
“I can’t fucking believe it,” Raen said. His eyes snapped to Arwin. He squinted at him, then turned his gaze to Lillia. “Godspit.”
“Is something wrong?” Lillia asked innocently.
“Raen?” Monica asked.
It barely even seemed like he’d heard her. He stared at Lillia for several long seconds. It looked like he couldn’t tell if he wanted to run in the opposite direction or rush closer to inspect her in more detail.
“You’re not screwing with me, are you?” Raen asked.
“Might as well spit it out,” Arwin said. “We’re going to be business partners from here on out if we set you up with the Montibeau family. No point hiding basic truths from each other, is there?”
I also have a pretty good grasp of what you and Monica are like. I’m a lot more willing to let on that the Menagerie are more than we appear to you than I am to Elias and Maeve — at least for the time being. The Dawnseekers have been pretty trustworthy so far, but I don’ t know enough about those two quite yet.
“You’re not pretending at all,” Raen said, forcing the words between his lips before they could die in his throat. “All the rumors about the owner of the Devil’s Den being a giant fan of demons… those are lies. Lillia isn’t using any makeup or specially made attachments. She’s a real demon — and Madiv is a real vampire.”
Lillia’s tail slipped free from her pants and swayed at her side as a grin pushed its way free on her features. “Guilty — but I’m not the only one. You really shouldn’t sound so surprised. I didn’t think I’d see the day when an orc walked into my tavern, but I have to say that I’m thrilled.”
“You knew?” Monica asked, her eyes going wide. “How?”
“It’s my tavern,” Lillia replied with a laugh. “I know everything that happens in here. Now take that bracelet off and let me get a look at what you really look like. There’s no need to hide anything here.”
Monica hesitated for a second. Then she pulled the bracelet off her wrist. Her body bulged, her fangs jutted back out from her lips, and her skin turned green as she filled out and rose back up to her full height.
Raen spun to Arwin. “And you? What are you?”
“Just a human, I’m afraid. Sorry to disappoint.”
“And you’re doing it with a demon?”
“Raen, your wife is an orc,” Arwin said. “Do you really have any room to be surprised?”
“I’m not accusing you of anything. I’m more impressed than anything else,” Raen muttered, glancing back at Lillia and running a hand through his hair. “Godspit. I had no idea there were others like Monica just… living in Milten. What about the rest of your guild?”
“Madiv is a Vampire,” Lillia said. “Everyone else is human. Mostly.”
“I can’t believe it,” Monica said with a disbelieving laugh. “You’re just walking around in plain view as a demon? And nobody questions it?”
“I have a demon themed tavern,” Lillia pointed out dryly. “Everyone knows a demon would try to infiltrate society or hide their appearance. None of them would be stupid enough to parade around their identity , so it’s only logical that I’m just pretending to be a demon.”
“That’s some high rank bullshit,” Raen said. “I think I see why Arwin was so unsurprised about Monica’s identity now. The Menagerie. Gods, it’s even in your name. You’re flaunting it!”